16. These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.

     17. Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at Pr 22:22-24:12, the proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see Introduction ).

     18. These lessons must be laid up in the mind, and

     19. That . . . Lord—This is the design of the instruction.

     20. excellent things—or probably of former times.

     21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others.

     22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Pr 17:5; Ps 12:5).

     24, 25. (Compare Pr 2:12-15; 4:14).

     25. a snare . . . soul—The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.

     26, 27. (Compare Pr 6:1; 17:18).

     27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor.

     28. (Compare Pr 23:10). Do not entrench on others (De 19:14; 27:17).

     29. Success rewards diligence (Pr 10:4; 21:5).

     1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.

     2. put a knife—an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.

     3. are deceitful meat—though well tasted, injurious.

     4, 5. (Compare 1Ti 6:9, 10).

     5. Wilt . . . eyes—As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.

     6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted.

     8. The morsel . . . words—that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.

     9. (Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).

     10, 11. (Compare Pr 22:22, 23).

     11. redeemer—or avenger (Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25).

     12. Here begins another series of precepts.

     13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.

     15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.

     16. my reins—(Compare Ps 7:9).

     17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.

     18. an end—or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Ps 37:28-38).

     19-21. guide . . . way—or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).

     20. riotous . . . flesh—prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.

     21. drowsiness—the dreamy sleep of the slothful.

     22. Hearken—that is, obey (Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1).

     23. Buy—literally, "get" (Pr 4:5).

     24, 25. (Compare Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25).

     26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11).

     27, 28. deep ditch—a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb.

     28. increaseth . . . transgressors— (Pr 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.

     29, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now.

     31. when . . . red—the color denoting greater strength (compare Ge 49:11; De 32:14).

     32. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.

     33, 34. The moral effects: it inflames passion (Ge 19:31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.

     35. awake—that is, from drunkenness (Ge 9:24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.

     1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).

     2. studieth—meditateth.

     3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).

     4. by knowledge . . . riches— (Pr 8:18; 21:20).

     5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).

     7. (Compare Pr 14:16).

     8. So called even if he fails to do evil.

     9. Same thought varied.

     10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.

     11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).

     13, 14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

     14. reward—literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).

     15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

     16. seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).

     17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).

     19, 20. (Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).

     20. candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).

     21, 22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).

     22. their calamity, &c.—either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.

     23. These . . . wise—literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.

     24, 25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

     26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).

     27. Prepare . . . in the field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.

     28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

     29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).

     30, 31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.

     32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).

     1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction ).

     2. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Isa 45:15; Ro 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;

     3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.

     4, 5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.

     5. before—or, "in presence of," as courtiers stood about a king.

     6, 7. Do not intrude into the presence of the king, for the elevation of the humble is honorable, but the humbling of the proud disgraceful (Lu 14:8-10).

     8. (Compare Pr 3:30).

     9, 10. (Compare Mt 5:25, Margin).

     11. a word fitly—literally, "quickly," as wheels roll, just in time. The comparison as apples . . . silver gives a like sense.

     12. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel (Pr 9:9; 15:31). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.

     13. Snow from mountains was used to cool drinks; so refreshing is a faithful messenger (Pr 13:17).

     14. clouds—literally, "vapors" (Jer 10:13), clouds only in appearance.

     15. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate.

     16, 17. A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.

     18. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pr 24:28).

     19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives.

     20. Not only is the incongruity of songs (that is, joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sympathy, is implied.

     21, 22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.

     23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Ps 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."

     24. (Compare Pr 21:9, 19).

     25. (Compare Pr 25:13).

     26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed.

     27. Satiety surfeits (Pr 25:16); so men who are self-glorious find shame.

     28. Such are exposed to the incursions of evil thoughts and successful temptations.